Melania Trump Club

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

UK police vow tough action against wedding protests

British police promised they would crack down "robustly" on anyone trying to disrupt Friday's royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, appealing to the public to help them spot any troublemakers.

We intend to interact robustly, quickly and firmly if anybody engages in any criminal activity," London Police's Assistant Commissioner Lynne Owens told the news conference.

"We really need you to be our eyes and our ears. If you see anybody in the crowd that is acting suspiciously please bring it to the earliest attention of our officers.

5,000 police officers will be on duty in London on Friday to deal with potential threats ranging from international Islamist militants to anarchists and stalkers.

At a briefing on Tuesday, senior officers said they would not tolerate anyone who attempted to disrupt the event, which will be viewed by hundreds of thousands on the streets and by as many as 2 billion people on television worldwide.

We would be wrong not to consider spontaneous protest as part of our contingency planning," Jones said.

Police will seize any banners that the public on the day "would find offensive" Owens said, adding that the majority of well-wishers and tourists could be searched.

"It is likely that people will be searched in London on that day, but we're not applying a blanket stop/search policy," she said.

Even guests for the ceremony itself will not be exempt. The general congregation at the abbey will have to go through a security check at a location away from the main entrance of the church.